As summer winds down in Natural North Florida, residents and visitors alike flock to our famous music and food festivals. It seems that every year, the number of events increase, as do their quality and breadth. In 2017, three are of particular note.

In Hamilton County, just north of I-10 and east of I-75, the world-famous Bienville Plantation, know for its fishing, hunting and resort lodging, will be hosting “Party in the Pines” Music Festival, headlined by Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert, on October 20 and 21, 2017. Expect a great time whether you just come for one or both days, and whether you experience all of Bienville Plantation by camping with lots of other music lovers.

You can get a head start on the season at Perry, in Taylor County, at the “Smokin’ In The Pines BBQ Festival” that features not only great food, but great music. Expect good BBQ, cooked by amateur and professional chefs, as well as some great southern Rock Music from local performers like Young Bucks, Michael Miller and Frayed Knot. The festival is September 22 and 23, 2017.

A third, and likely the event that will likely draw a huge (and fun) crowd from October 12-15 is the Suwannee Roots Revival. These 4 days will take over all of the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, just off SR129 and I-75. There will be dancing, camping, food and lots of music from the likes of Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn and Verlon Thompson.